Sitting in my car the other day in Wegman’s parking lot, I could not take my eyes off a monk walking by on his way into the grocery store. He wore a long ankle-length black cassock, black cords tied around his waist tapping against his leg in stride, a white collar at his neck, and shoulder-length curly brown hair.
I was mesmerized. Was it Jesus??? It sure looked like how I imagine him.
The monk held car keys on a black lanyard in his hand – wait, does Jesus drive?
I wanted to snap a picture. I wanted to shout out the window, “Hi Jesus!!” Certainly, I did neither. After watching him meander into the store, I thought, hmmmmm — if Jesus was here in 2021 in a grocery store in Hunt Valley, WWJB? … What would Jesus buy?
He wouldn’t need shaving cream — obviously. Perhaps fresh fish and loaves of bread? Milk and bananas? Oreos? Windex? Although Wegman’s offers every product imaginable, he could not have bought new sandals. What would be his needs in today’s world?
Actually, Jesus’ needs haven’t changed much throughout the centuries. So, what does Jesus need?
He needs us to love each other, to speak kind words to – and about – each other. He wants us to nourish our bodies with spiritual food, to do the will of his father. Jesus needs us to care for each other, to help feed and clothe the underprivileged, to steer far from evil. He doesn’t want us to be greedy, malicious, envious or materialistic. He discourages us from road rage. He needs us to be faithful and prayerful and compassionate.
He needs us to be good Christians, including not getting angry at another driver for stealing your parking spot or being impatient behind someone in line who’s writing out a check. (Jesus prefers the ATM method himself … At Thy Mercy).
If he did go shopping (I still swear it looked him!), Jesus definitely would share his groceries with us. “But food does not bring us near to God. We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.” [1 Corinthians 8:8] His food is his love, which “he gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.” [Psalm 136:25]
Jesus needs us to follow him (but maybe not into the grocery store). And the things he needs do not require a shopping cart, grocery list, debit card or a shopper’s club number.
“So, whether you eat or drink” — whatever you purchase from Wegman’s, Giant, Safeway or ShopRite — “or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” [1 Corinthians 10:31]
That’s what Jesus needs today.
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